"They're very nice" –When Pocket Panty left Shark Tank without an investor 

Entrepreneurs present their business concepts to seasoned investors in the high-stakes world of ABC's Shark Tank, hoping to get money that could transform their lives. Ashlee Lena Turner debuted with her product, The Pocket Panty—individually wrapped, reusable underwear made for emergencies while on the go—in Season 15, Episode 9, which aired in December 2023.

The sharks were unimpressed, even though she was enthusiastic and her goods were high quality. At first, Lori Greiner, who is renowned for having an excellent sense of quality, was impressed and offered:

"They're very nice. They remind me of a very big brand. It has the same feel, it has the same stretch, it's very thin, it probably doesn't show panty lines."

But compliments alone don't seal deals in the Shark Tank. Turner sought $80,000 for 10% equity in her company, which had launched in late 2021 with a mission to provide convenient underwear solutions while fighting period poverty.

Despite the quality product and noble mission, her pitch took an unexpected turn when Mark Cuban asked about her social media strategy, and Turner admitted:

"Social media is just not my wheelhouse."

This honest confession marked the beginning of the end for her hopes of landing an investor on Shark Tank.

What happened during Pocket Panty’s Shark Tank pitch?

Turner began her pitch by addressing common underwear emergencies with humor.

"Has unwanted flow ever left a Picasso in your panties?" she asked, getting a few chuckles from the sharks.

She presented The Pocket Panty as a "quick, discreet and comfortable option for whenever you're in a 'panty pinch.'"

The sharks examined the product with interest. Each pair came individually wrapped in reusable zip-lock style packaging, perfect for storing soiled underwear discreetly. At the time, the company offered one size that fit most, with plans for a plus-size option in the future.

When Shark Tank's Robert Herjavec inquired about sales figures, Turner revealed that The Pocket Panty had generated $8,000 in its first quarter of operation in 2021, with lifetime sales reaching $60,000. While not terrible for a new business, these numbers didn't set the tank on fire.

The sharks' interest waned further when Turner admitted her lack of social media presence. In today's digital marketplace, this confession was a red flag for investors looking for growth potential and marketing savvy.

One by one, the sharks declined to offer a deal. Greiner, despite her positive comments about the product quality, was the first to drop out, stating she would purchase the product but had no investment offer to make.

Turner left Shark Tank without securing the investment she sought, joining the ranks of entrepreneurs who didn't land a deal but gained valuable exposure and feedback.

What happened to Pocket Panty after Shark Tank?

The tale of the Pocket Panty did not end badly. Indeed, Turner's Shark Tank visit was a game-changer for her company. In an interview with Forbes shortly after the program aired, she discussed her mission:

"Access to clean underwear is a fundamental human right, and we're on a mission to ensure that all women have easy access to this basic necessity."

Following Cuban's advice, Turner created accounts for The Pocket Panty on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

Her perseverance paid off when MinervaVerse, a women-founded investment organization dedicated to assisting women and people of color in the startup industry, made a sizable investment in The Pocket Panty.

Two new sizes were added to The Pocket Panty's lineup by 2024: "The Pocket Panty" for sizes 0–8 and "The Pocket Panty Curve" for sizes 10–18. Additionally, the business introduced a "period kit" for emergencies to cover a wider range of demands.

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With the establishment of a non-profit organization named The Pocket Panty Project, Turner's dedication to social impact only deepened. In the wake of disastrous wildfires, the charity donated supplies to organizations throughout Southern California and delivered over 900 period kits to individuals in need by 2024.

Turner's journey with The Pocket Panty represents a shift in her entrepreneurial mindset. After running Sweet Sugar, a Los Angeles candy lounge, she decided to "chase purpose and not paper" with her new venture.

Today, The Pocket Panty is available on Walmart.com and has partnered with UC San Diego Health, proving that sometimes the best success stories come after hearing "I'm out" from the sharks.

Turner joins entrepreneurs like Sarah Lee and Christine Chang of Glow Recipe, who proved that Shark Tank investments aren't always required for business success, as she expands her company and its social impact.

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Catch Shark Tank on ABC every Friday at 8 PM ET, with streaming available on Hulu.